Senior Philanthropy Officer, Major Gifts

JOIN OUR TEAM AS SENIOR PHILANTHROPY OFFICER

Are you an expert major gifts relationship manager based in Vancouver looking to use your fundraising expertise to make a direct impact on the lives of children?

Join UNICEF Canada – one of Canada’s most respected and historic charities – and be part of a high-impact, mission-driven team working across Canada and globally to create a better world for children.

Employment Type:

Permanent, Full-time

Reports to:

Director, Development (Major Gifts)

Direct Reports:

N/A

Salary Range:

$83,000 - $93,000 annually with benefits and 3 weeks paid vacation

Work Location:

UNICEF Canada currently operates under a Fixed-Hybrid model that requires team members to attend the office at least 2 days/week (Tuesday & Wednesday). NOTE:This role will require travel out of province including quarterly travel to Vancouver if based in Toronto.

Why UNICEF & UNICEF Canada?

UNICEF is the world’s most powerful force for children. Across 190 countries and territories, and in the world’s toughest places, we provide and advocate for education, health and nutrition services. Protect children from violence and abuse. Bring clean water and sanitation to those in need. Keep them safe from climate change and disease. Serve as the world’s largest provider of vaccines. Before, during and after emergencies, we’re on the ground with life-saving help and hope. The needs of children around the world continue to increase and the role of UNICEF is more important than ever.

UNICEF Canada is one of 32 National Committees (NatComms) located in high-income countries around the world. Our team exists to fundraise for UNICEF’s highest priorities and to work neutrally with governments and the private sector in Canada and internationally to advance the rights and well‑being of children and youth.

As UNICEF Canada launches a bold new Strategic Plan in 2026, be part of this next phase of impact!

The Opportunity

This is an opportunity to help power UNICEF Canada’s major giving growth at a pivotal moment for children around the world. As part of the Major Gifts team, the Senior Philanthropy Officer will help connect generous Canadians to UNICEF’s lifesaving work — advancing the mandate of UNICEF, the world’s most powerful force for children. Reporting to the Director, Development (Major Gifts), the Senior Philanthropy Officer manages a portfolio of major donors and high-value prospect relationships across British Colombia, with a specific focus on the Greater Vancouver area. The role involves leveraging existing relationships and identifying, cultivating, and soliciting new major donors ($10,000+) and high‑value prospects ($100,000+). The Senior Philanthropy Officer is responsible for securing over $1.5+ million in revenue annually through strategic stewardship, engagement, and solicitation of individual and family foundation donors.

In collaboration with the Senior Officers of Stewardship and Operations, Cultivation and Operations, and the International Programs team, the Senior Philanthropy Officer oversees development of compelling & customized proposals and stewardship of donors. With support from the Director of Development, Major Gifts, this role also works with the Prospect Researcher to manage a donor pipeline, focusing on identifying transformational prospects and securing multi‑year commitments.

The Senior Philanthropy Officer works closely with key UNICEF Canada teams including Development, Operations, Events, Corporate and Community Partnerships, Individual Giving, Brand & Marketing, and our Board to integrate donors across UNICEF Canada campaigns & initiatives, enhancing overall giving and engagement.

Key Accountabilities

• Manage and grow a portfolio of major donors and high-value prospects across Vancouver and British Columbia, advancing relationships from identification through cultivation, solicitation and stewardship toward an annual revenue goal of $1M+.
• Identify, cultivate and solicit individual and family foundation donors, renewing and upgrading current gifts while building new multi‑year commitments.
• Engage regional volunteers, lead donors, and Women Unlimited members to expand networks, open doors and strengthen the major gifts pipeline.
• Identify 1-2 new prospects for the $1M+ transformational giving pipeline annually through proactive prospecting and strategic relationship planning, in coordination with Director of Development (Major Gifts) and the Prospect Researcher.
• Support the development of compelling, customized proposals for humanitarian emergencies, For Every Child unrestricted giving and priority UNICEF programs, in collaboration with the Senior Officer of Cultivation and Operations and International Programs.
• Advance regional engagement and collective giving opportunities to deepen donor relationships, build a community of major gift donors and driven new revenue opportunities.
• Create and execute annual stewardship and recognition plans with a focus on multi‑year and high‑value donors that position UNICEF as a charity of choice and deliver meaningful, tailored donor experiences.
• Collaborate across teams to ensure high‑value partnerships are understood, prioritized and integrated across UNICEF Canada campaigns and initiatives.
• Leverage organizational events, campaigns and key moments to strengthen engagement and increase fundraising revenue.
• Represent UNICEF Canada at local, regional and community events to grow the organization’s high‑value donor network across British Columbia.

Fuel Strategic Planning, Collaboration & Fundraising Excellence

• Support the Director, Development in translating multi‑year and annual plans into focused fundraising action, including revenue, expense, regional activity, and cross‑organizational planning.
• Maintain clear visibility on revenue opportunities by managing solicitation plans, donor activity, next steps, and progress in the database with accuracy and discipline.
• Contribute to the design and delivery of organizational priority initiatives and strategic engagement activities that deepen donor relationships and inspire increased giving.
• Stay deeply informed about UNICEF’s global work, leadership, priorities, and programs to bring confidence, relevance, and inspiration to donor conversations.
• Ensure Raiser’s Edge records are current, accurate, and useful for weekly reporting, relationship tracking, forecasting, and prospect management.
• Travel and attend UNICEF Canada fundraising events, including occasional evenings and weekends, to build relationships and advance donor engagement.

Additional Qualifications

• A university degree or college diploma in a related discipline.
• A minimum of five to seven (5-7+) plus years of relevant work experience in major gifts fundraising or a related field.
• Exceptional relationship management skills
• Tact, diplomacy and strong judgement are essential
• Proven ability to make strategic decisions through ambiguity and a high tolerance for complexity
• Ability to prioritize, manage multiple deliverables and maintain focus on donor relationships
• Experience working with senior leadership, Board volunteers and UHNW donors and prospects.
• Experience in moves management, tracking relationships and running reports with Raiser’s Edge or similar CRM databases.
• Superior verbal and written communication skills, including public speaking.
• A valid driver’s license with a vehicle, or access to a vehicle.
• The ability to communicate effectively, work in a collaborative environment, be strategic, detail-oriented, resourceful, and cost efficient to drive new initiatives or enhance existing programming.

An Employer of Choice: What We Offer

UNICEF Canada is where diverse talent & passion come together to create extraordinary impact for every child. We are committed to being an employer of choice and building a culture that is inclusive, ambitious, compassionate, and has a high impact.

Members of the UNICEF Canada team have access to the following employee benefits:

A ROBUST COMPENSATION PACKAGE

• Extended Health/Dental benefits, Healthcare Spending Account, and Wellness Account
• Life, AD&D, & Long-Term disability insurance coverage
• Employer match contributions (5%) to a Group Pension Plan
• Access to parental leave top-up

A COMMITMENT TO WELLNESS

• Fixed hybrid work environment to balance connection and collaboration with the work-life integration needs of our team
• Minimum 3 weeks of annual vacation (increases with time served) & 1 additional day per year of service (max 30)
• 9 to 11 employee wellness days – an additional series of pre-set days off, given annually to further extend long weekends
• Discounted rate for a GoodLife gym membership
• Access to an Employee and Family Assistance Program

A CULTURE OF LEARNING & GROWTH

• Access to a comprehensive global learning platform with over 1600 courses, webinars & resources
• Internal leadership development, training, & mentorship programs that integrate Anti-Racism and diversity, equity and inclusion principles
• Opportunities to access both local & global stretch assignments

AN INCLUSIVE & PURPOSE-DRIVEN WORKPLACE

• Centrally located head office in midtown Toronto with satellite offices in Calgary & Montreal
• Easily accessed by public transit and a short walk from several parking locations
• Inclusive & accessible co-working and meeting spaces designed to foster purpose at every turn and accommodate the diverse needs of employees

A CHANCE TO DO MEANINGFUL & LIFE-CHANGING WORK

• Under the leadership of a dynamic, accomplished, and experienced executive leadership team, you’ll be part of a diverse & talented Canada team committed to creating meaningful impact while fostering an inclusive and supportive work environment.
• You’ll join a global UNICEF family with a shared commitment to impact the lives of children

Our Commitment to Inclusive Workplaces & Recruitment

UNICEF Canada is an inclusive workplace and is committed to championing diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage of the recruitment process.

At UNICEF Canada, we believe strongly in personal connections and our hiring process is entirely human driven. We do not use AI or automated systems to review applications or conduct interviews. Each candidate is evaluated by our experienced team to ensure fair and thoughtful hiring experience.